SUPER bowler Ian Biddle has notched up the world record longest run up in a cricket match played between a Harry the Fish XI and a Bunbury XI.
The Alcester and Ragley Park paceman ran from Alcester Town Hall, accompanied by a group of the club’s junior players and after entering the cricket ground did three laps of the pitch to complete 2.6 miles and then made a good delivery.
He then took a wicket with the third ball of his opening over.
Whether his effort is formally verified by Guinness is yet to be confirmed but his run up was recorded for posterity in the official Bunbury scorebook.
Afterwards he said: “It was amazing, fantastic. I had a bit of sleepless night beforehand, having a nightmare that I’d bowl a wide! ”
The event was organised by Harry Dyke and Dr David English, former manager of the Bee Gees, who founded the Bunburys and who has raised more than £17 million over the years with his Bunbury celebrity cricket matches.
The celebrities there included Jeff Thomson, former Australian fast bowler, Barry Fry, former manager of Birmingham City Football Club, Nick Owen, BBC Midlands Today presenter and chairman of Luton Town FC, Oliver and Jamie Phelps, the Weasley twins in the Harry Potter series and Mick Harford, former England footballer.
“It was an absolutely fantastic day – we raised a lot of money for charity, there were a lot of attractions and I will remember it for the rest of my life,” said Harry.
All money raised will be split between Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and the Bunbury Under-15 cricket festival which helps coach young players for future stardom.
Anyone who wishes to donate to the charity effort can send a cheque, payable to : Harry’s Cricket XI Ltd, adressed to Harry Dyke, Hillers Fram Shop, Dunnignton Heath Farm, Alcester Warwickshire B49 5PD.
